Where does the whole world disagree with me?

Smartness is a state, not a trait

If smartness is defined as the player's probability to succeed in the game then it must likely be a state. Here I differ it from strength. Strength is an attribute (at least, in short term), not a state. Things like experience, knowledge etc go in strength bucket. Smartness, in its most general and practical sense, is the ability to find out what to do next and to execute it the best way suited for that person.

"Sure, you are smart, then why haven't you figured it out?"

Smartness as ability to learn, adapt and execute is really a breakdown of three things — Knowing what matters (and hence what to do), figuring out how to do, and to just "do." Here is the meat — for a player who is playing seriously, he almost always has some idea about what he should do. Most people see 100s of possible ways and remains confused on what to choose. A smart person is able to sift through the sea of options and find 2-3 logical obvious moves. This is only possible if he is `focused` and `fearless`. And both focus and fearlessness, are states. Next — planning — I feel it plays a very small role in the success. adaptability is more important. A smart person know when to slow down and turn. Adaptability is again a state — if you are open, unbiased of the past or your identity, you are adaptable. And, last part — execution — is really a game of confidence. You know what to do, you made some shit plan but you know you will be able to fix it on the go.. and you are confident that you can follow through the path "easily."

Whenever I found myself being stupid I was either scared or I lacked belief.

Sales is mostly a pressure game

Most sales books and courses teach you to be consultative, helpful, and value adding. While that holds true at at a much higher-level, at ground-level, you are always fighting against inertia. Most people don't want to change. They are comfortable with the status-quo. They don't want to take risks with a new product, even when they realise that they don't like the current product. One needs to jerk them out into action. That is why there are flash sales, limited period offers, and discounts etc.

Humility is overrated

I think humility is one of the most important virtues to have and is often seriously lacking in heros of many failure stories. But, I think it is also a serious reason for a lot of mediocrity. While, we see lack of humility in a lot of failure stories and feel good. but most successful people (even when they don't show it), have a strong sense of pride and confidence in themselves (often to the point of arrogance). Similarily, most of common people are humble to a fault. "Only if one thinks that they are capable of great things, they can actually do great things" - is so cliche'. Those who slog for humility often miss out on great returns which requires one to get of that slog-race and take bold actions. Has it ever happened that you saw an arrogant person blabbering about how good he is and somewhere know, he will topple on the floor soon - then see them again and see them doing better? - well, you wer right, he did topple.

Cringe is ok

If you are running towards something, you would be a cringe to the mass. That is not because cringe is so much required to get there, it is because you are not being cool. you are hardly even being yourself. you are trying to evolve too fast. people hate that shit.

No Pain, Infinite Gain

While No-pain-no-gain is true at a much ground-level, it is easy to confuse sacrifice with being bold. As a child, I grew up thinking that I need to be slogging and forcing myself to grind to get there. Or otherwise, I am not trying well enough. Unlearnt this the hard way that I need to enjoy the journey to get there. If I can coerce my way through, then I am aiming too low.